Neon Tetra

Provide a minimum of about 60 litres, since these are schooling fish that need groups of at least 6 and ideally 10 to 15. Aquascape with plants, a dark substrate, and subdued lighting to mimic their shaded blackwater origins and bring out their colour. Use a gentle filter for soft flow and fit a lid, as small tetras can jump.

Neons are micro-predators and omnivores, so feed small flakes or micro-pellets that fit their tiny mouths, plus frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and micro bloodworm. Offer a small pinch once or twice daily that they finish quickly. Overfeeding is easy with such small fish and fouls the water fast.

Keep the water at 22 to 26 C, soft, and slightly acidic at pH 6.0 to 7.0 with low hardness. Above all the tank must be mature and fully cycled with ammonia at 0 and nitrite at 0 and nitrate low, because neons are very sensitive to the swings of a new tank and should only be added to an established aquarium. Dechlorinate tap water, and change about 25 percent weekly with matched-temperature water.

Neons are obligate schooling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 6, though 10 or more makes them far more confident and colourful. Kept in ones or twos they become stressed, pale, and sickly. They suit a peaceful community of other small fish, but avoid large or aggressive tankmates such as adult angelfish, which see neons as food.

Plants, floating cover for shade, driftwood with tannins, and a dark substrate all recreate their natural habitat and let their colours shine. Open mid-water swimming space lets the shoal move together.